Apparatus for removing snow and the like



July 16, 1946. E. R. GREER APPARATUS 510R REMQVINQ SNOW AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 16, 1944 6 Sheets-Sheefl [VVENTOE ECU/MED E, 61255.2

- fl rosuevr July 16, 1946. E. R. GREER 2,404,237

- APPARATUS FOR REMOVING SNOW AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 16, 1944 s Shee ts-Sheet 2 I5 4 3 I F" a 7 l IZ g ll 49 x v [VI/EN T012 COW/9E0 1Q. GEEEE ATTORNEY-8 July 16, 1946. A

A E. GREER APPARATUS FOR REMOVING SNOW AND THE LIKE v Filed Feb. 16, 1944 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 II'VVENTOE m B 6 mm ATTo/ENE VJ" July 16, 1946. E; R. GREER APPARATUS FOR REMOVING snow AND THE, LIKE 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 16, 1944 AVVEN E0 WAED 8. 6.8558 V g a July is, 1946. I E. R. GIDREER 2,404,287

APPARATUS FOR REMOVING SNOW AND THE LIKE Jul 16, 1946.

E. R. GREER APPARATUS FOR REMOVING SNOW AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 16, 1944 e Sheets-Sheet 6 hrs/viola EDI/WED 8. 6,9552

Patented July 16,1946

UNITED, STATES PATENT oFFica;

APPARATUS FOR REMOVING SNOW AND v THE LIKE Edward R. Greer, Wayzata, Application February 16, 1944, Serial No. 522,563 '29 Claims. (01. 37-42) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in apparatusfor removing snow, ice and other material, and more particularly to such apparatus of the general type disclosed in United StatesLetters Patent #2,l99,'723, issued May '7, 1940, to M. Garland and E. Greer, and Patent 2,241,252, issued May 6, 1941, to M. Garland and E. R. Greer. In the apparatus disclosed in the above noted patents, the snow, ice and other material is moved along the surface of the moldboard into direct engagement with a high speed'propeller type rotor mounted adjacent to. the end of the moldboard, as the plow is moved forwardly'by the propelling vehicle. The blades of the rotor impart a whirling action to the snow and accelerates its movement. The whirling action imparted to the snow is objectionable, because when the snow i dry and light, as it frequently is in cold weather, the agitation of the snow by the propeller may cause the fine snow to develop into a dense cloud, which may at times partially or wholly obscure the drivers vision.

In each of the structures disclosed in the two above mentioned patents, the snow and ice moves along the face of the moldboard into direct engagement with the rotor mounted at the discharge end thereof, whereby the movement of the snow and other material is accelerated as it leaves the end of the moldboard, which facilitates its dis- D0sal.

The novel apparatus herein disclosed distinguishes from those illustrated in the above mentioned patents in that the snow being moved along the face of the moldboard is not directly engaged by a rotor, but is subjected to the action of a high velocity blast directed into or against the moving snow in the general direction of material travel, as the snow approaches the dis charge end of the moldboard, whereby the movement of the snow is greatly accelerated and expanded, whereby its dissipation is made much more effective and thorough, and with the assurance that it will not pile up in ridges along the road-bed, as frequently occurs when using conventional snow removal equipment.

In accordance with the invention herein disclosed a suitable blower is mounted back of the moldboard with its discharge nozzle positioned adjacent to the path of travel of the snow along the face of the moldboard, whereby the snow moves directly into a high velocity blast which greatly accelerates its movement'in a rearward and outward direction, and which greatly facilitates the dissipation of the snow and pre- 2 vents it from piling up on the shoulders along the road-bed. l

The amount of energy or power requiredto operate the blower to dissipate the snow and ice may be controlled to meet varying conditions. For example, if the snow to be removed from the road-bed or other surface is relatively deep-or wet and heavy, more power may be required to operate the blower to effectively dissipate. the snow as it leaves the end of the moldboardthanif the snow were light and dry. In some casesit may also be found desirable to operate the snow-plow without the use of a blast whereby the plow may be operated as a conventional snowplow. It-will thus be seen that when plowing or removing alight fall of snow requiring but a very light blast, or no blast at all, a considerable saving in power is eflected because in such cases the power required for producing the blast is correspondingly reduced, and may be completely cut off. Such saving in power is'impossible when using apparatus of the type dis-' closed in the two patentshereinbefore mentioned, wherein the rotors must be continually operated when the plows are in use so as not to block the discharge of the snow from the end of the moldboard.

I havefound that a blower such as herein disclosed, may be efficiently operated-in conjunction with a snow-plow to effect completeandthorough dissipation of the snow with a minimum of power, primarily because of'the unique mounting of the blower nozzle with respect to the moldboard, and due to the fact that the blower is not directly engaged by the'snow or other material to be moved by the moldboard. I

The blast for accelerating the movement of the snow may be furnished by mechanically driven blowers or by jet propulsion burners mounted back of the moldboard. When jet type burners are used, a hot'blast is directed against the moving snow which, in addition to accelerating its movement, expands and may melt the "major portion of the snowand ice'to' thereby efiect'co'mtates the movement of the plow by the propelling vehicle, and also tends to stabilize the movement of the apparatus along the highway.

An object of the present invention therefore I accelerated as it is engaged by said blast, and is thereby driven outwardly away board and dissipated.

A further object of the invention is to profrom the mold:

vide a wing-type moldboard having means for directing a high velocity blast inan outward direction against snow being'moved along the surface of the moldboard and whereby the reaction of said blast against the snow will exert a forward propelling thrust on the outer end of the'moldboard which will tend to balance or sta bilize the steering of the propelling vehicle, as itnwillcsubstantially eliminate a side pull on the propelling vehicle as result of the mold plow engaging snow banks along one side of the vehicle. 7 V V A further object is to provide a moldboard having a suitable blower mounted rearwardly thereof and provided with an elongated high velocity nozzle disposed transversely of the moldboard adjacent to the discharge end thereof adapted" to direct a high velocity blast against snow: or othermaterial being moved along the face. of the moldboard by the forward movement thereof, and said nozzle having deflecting means therein for upwardly directing the snow and other material as its movement is suddenly accelerated by the blast discharging from said nozzle.

A further object is to provide a snow-plow comprising a moldboard having a jet propulsion burnermountedjrearwardly thereof for directing a hot blast intothec snowdischarging from the moldboard; thereby to suddenly expand and melt the snow as it'dischargesfrom the moldboard.

j A further object is to provide in combination I with a'moldboard, a jet propulsion burner having an elongated high Velocity nozzle positioned adjacent the outer or discharge end of the moldboard a'dapted to direct a high velocity hot blast in the general direction of material travel, thereby to greatly accelerate the movement of'tbe snow and dissipation thereof, and such blast also acting to exert a forward propelling thrust on themoldboard.

' A further object is to provide a vehicle hav ing a jet propulsion burner mounted thereon with its discharge positioned to direct a hot blast in 1 v propelling vehicle; in the pivotal mounting of the blower on the moldboard; in the provision of a V-type snow-plow comprising o positely disposed moldbo'ards. each provided with a blast gen Verating device adapted to direct a high velocity blast against snow and other material discharg- 4 V v ing from said moldboards, thereby to greatly accelerate the movement of the snow and dissipation thereof, and said blasts also exerting a forward propelling thrust against the moldboards of the snow-plow whereby the plow may be operated with less power; in the provision of a moldboard having a combustion chamber mounted rearwardly thereof provided with suitable means for supplying air and fuel thereto to provide a combustible fuel mixture; and in the pro-V j vision of a simple blast generating means which readily lends itself for mounting on conventional snow-plows whereby such snow removing equipment may readily be converted into a combination plow and blast snow remover at very low cost.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the following description and the accompanying,

the exact features shown, as various changes may be made within the scope of the claims which follow. r I 7 In the drawings? 7 Figure 1 is a plan view of a vehioleprovided with a wing-type moldboard and showing my ine vention applied thereto;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the vehicle and moldboard showing the fan on the moldboard and itsconnections with the pow-' er unit on the vehicle; Figure 3 is a View similarto Figure 2, showing th moldboard in an elevated position; h Figured is an enlarged detail viewypartially in section, showing the pivotal mounting of the blower on the moldboard;

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail sectional view on the line 5-5 of Figure 4, showing in full and dotted lines the pivotal movement of the blower on themoldboard; I L Figure 6 is a, diagrammatic view substantially on the line 6-5 of Figure-4, showing the action of the blast on the snow at the discharge end of the moldboard;

Figure 7 is a view showin a moldboard having two jet propulsion burners mounted thereon with their exhaust nozzles'cpositioned at the discharge end of the moldboard; Figure 8 is a detail sectional View through one of the jet propulsion burners;

Figure 9 is an end viewof Figure '7 showing the narrow elongated burner'nozzle and the means Figure 12 i a diagrammatic detail sectional View substantially on the line I2-l2 of Figure 7, showing the action" of the hot blast on the snow and ice discharging from the end of the mold bo'ardfand e Figure 13 is a' plan' view of a portion of a vehicle having a V-type snow-plow mounted thereon and provided with jet propulsion burners.

In the selected embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, there is illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3, for purposes of disclosure, a portion of a propelling vehicle comprising the usual chassis frame 2 mounted on suitable carrying wheels. A

suitable body 3 may be mounted'on the rear end of the V portion of the chassis back of the drivers cab I, and the usual engine hood 4 is shown located forwardly of the cab I. IA wing-type moldboard, by the numeral 5, is shown mounted on the propelling vehicle and has its forward end pivotally connected thereto as indicated at 6, whereby the position of the moldboard with respect to the vehicle may be varied in the usual manner, as is well known in apparatus of this general type. Thrust members I and 8 are interposed between the moldboard and an upright bracket 9 secured to the vehicle frame.

The thrust members are connected to the moldboard and bracket 9, respectively, by suitable universal joints II and I2. Each thrust member is composed of two or more telescoping sections whereby the thrust members may be longitudinally adjusted to maintain the moldboard at a predetermined angular position horizontally,

with respect to th propelling vehicle. The lower thrust member 8 may be provided at its outer end with a suitable cushion spring I3 to absorb shocks, in the event the cutting edge of the moldboard engages a fixed object when the plow is in operation. The thrust members I and 8 and their connections with the moldboard and vehicle are very similar to the corresponding parts shown in Patent #2,241,252, herein before referred to, and it is therefore deemed unnecessary to describe them in further detail herein.

An important feature of the present invention resides in the provision of means for delivering a high velocity blast in the direction of material travel along the moldboard for the purpose of accelerating the movement of the snow and other material discharging from the moldboard and to facilitate its dissipation. The blast is projected in the general direction of travel of the snow from the moldboard, whereby the snow being moved by the plow will not pile up in ridges along the shoulder of the road or surface being cleared, as when using a conventional snow-plow.

The means provided for thus directing a high velocity blast against the material traveling along the face of the snow-plow or discharging therefrom, is shown comprising a suitable blower, generally designated by the numeral I4, and comprising a housing I5 having air intakes I6 at its opposite sides and having a tangential exhaust or air outlet H, as best illustrated in Figure 4.

A suitable rotor I8 is mounted on a shaft I9 within the blower housing I5, and the shaft I9 is supported in suitable bearings 2i and 22 secured to suitable bearing supporting brackets 23 and 24 which in turn are secured to the blower housing I5, as clearly indicated in Figures 4 and 5.

The blower I4, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, comprises a pair of spaced disks 25 secured to a hub 26 fixed to the shaft I9. Suitable radially disposed blades 21 are secured tothe' disks 25, and relatively shorter blade sections 28 are mounted between the spaced disks 25 at the periphery of the rotor and cooperate with the blades 21 to generate a high velocity blast which discharges from the air outlet or exhaust I1 of the blower housing when the rotor is operated at high speed, as will readily be understood.

The rotor I8 of the blower I4 may be'driven from a suitable power unit 29 mounted on the vehicle body, as indicated in Figure l, or it may be driven from the usual power take off shaft of the engine of the propelling vehicle.

The means provided for operatively or drivingly connecting the rotor to the power unit 29 generally designated,-

erally designated by the numeral 3|, which may comprise a pluralityof telescoping sections 32, 33 and 34. The shaft section 32 is operatively connected to the rotor shaft I9 by a suitable universal joint 35, and the opposite end section 34 of the shaft 3I is 'connected by a universal joint 36, to a relatively shorter shaft, not shown. mounted in a gear box 31 and having a geared connection with the power unit 29 by suitable gears not shown in the drawings. drive is clearly illustrated in Patent #2,241,252, and it is therefore thought unnecessary to herein describe the same in detail. v

A telescoping focusing arm 38 has one on pivoted to an upright post 39 mounted infixed relation to the rotor shaft I9. The opposite end of the focusing arm 38 is similarly connected to an upright post 4| mounted in relatively fixed V Another important feature'of the invention resides in the novel construction and arrangement of the high velocity nozzle of the blower I4, generally designated by the numeral 42, in Figure 1. The outlet I! of the fan housing is connected to one end of a conduit 45 which extends rearwardly and is outwardly flared, as shown in Figures 2,

3 and 4, to provide a narrow elongated nozzle 42,

disposed'transversely of the moldboard and extending substantially the full width thereof, as shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4. v

The outer or rear wall 50 of the nozzle 42 is shaped to extend well beyond the end of the moldboard, whereby it forms in effect a continuation of the moldboard, as best shown in Figures 1 and 6. Suitable deflectors 46 are provided in the dis.-'

'charge nozzle 42 and are slightly upwardly inclined, therebyv to slightly upwardly direct the air blast discharging from the nozzle, as will readily be understood by reference to Figure 4. The deflectors 46 preferably have theirv rear ends extending beyond the rear edge 41 of the moldboard, as shown.

Another important feature of the invention resides in the pivotal mounting of the blower housing upon the moldboard, whereby the moldboard may be adjusted to any desiredposition with respect to the propelling vehicle without interfering with the operation of the blower drive, and whereby an efficient driving connection is always maintained'between the blower rotor and the power unit on the vehicle, regardless of the position of the moldboard on the vehicle.

To thus mount the blower on the moldboard, a suitable bracket 48. is welded or otherwise fixed to the back face of the moldboard and is bored to receive a pivot pin 49 having its inner end secured to a lug or fixed portion 5| of the blower housing. The axis of the pivot pin 49 is disposed in the axis a.a of the blower discharge opening I1, as shown in Figure 4. The cylindrical wall portion of the blower discharge I1 is rotatably received in the conduit 45 of the nozzle 42, whereby the blower, housing I5 may pivot about the axis aa, as shown in Figure 5. The focusing arm 38 constantly retains the blower housing in a more or; less fixed relation to the This power 7 e telescopingtd-rive"shaft 3: a: the rotor 'shaft- 19'. asfhereinbeforestated, 7 P l An'important distinction in the'novel apparatus hereindiselosed overthe structures disclosed in the abovementioned patents, resides in the fact that-the snow or othermaterial being conveyed along the surface of the material is not delivered into direct contact with the blades of a high speed rotor, but into a high velocity blast which immediately picks up the snow or other material and greatly accelerates its movement along the normal-path of travel of the material from the moldboard; "This will readily'b'e understood by reference to Figure 6, wherein it will be noted that as the snow or other material discharge from the end 41 of the moldboard, it passes directly into the high velocity blast discharging from the narrow elongated nozzle 42 of theblower, where-' by its movement is greatly accelerated by the blast in the general direction of material travel from the moldboard, as indicated by the arrows in Figure 6.

- The high velocity air blast discharging from the'nozzle 42 has a tendency to create a partial vac'uumat the discharge end of the moldboard, which draws the snow and other material directly into the blast, a will be understood by reference to Figure 6, whereby the material is directed outwardly in a rearward direction a considerable distance from the end of the moldboard, whereby the snow is not likely to be blown in front of the vehicle where it might obscure the drivers vision. The snow will also be blown well over the shoulder along the roadbed and away from the propelling vehicle, whereby it will not be left in ridges along the pathjbeing cleared, which is of particular importance when removing snow from airport runways, and the like, which must be kept free from obstructions.

The rearwardlydirected blast from the end of the moldboard also has a tendency to exert a forwardly propelling thrust on the 'outer end of the moldboard which is helpful in stabilizing the'forward movement of the propelling vehicle/as it tends to reduce side thrust on the vehicle. The forward thrust thus exerted on the outer end of the moldboard will also tend to exert a forward propelling forceon the vehicle, as will readily be in a saving of power.

a In Figure 7 there is illustrated a moldboard 60 provided .with a plurality of jet propulsion burners; generally designated by the numerals 53 and understood, which may in some instances result 54., 'Each burner is shown comprising a housing 55 providing a combustion chamber 56 to which air-may be supplied from a conduit 51. Liquid fuel is suppliedfrom a pipe 58 having an atomizing'head 59 provided at its inner end adjacent to the combustion chamber 56.

The housing .55 of each combustion chamber 56 has it exhaust end outwardlyv directed, as best shown in Figure 7, and :each has a fitting 6| seprovides ineffect acontinuation of the molda 8 board; Suitable deflectors 68 are providedin the nozzle 65 to slightly upwardly direct the hot blast discharging therefrom.

The burners 53 and 54 may be supported directly upon themoldboard by suitable bolts '69 and spacers H, as shown in Figures 7, l0, and 1'1.

Each burner is also provided with suitable spark plugs 12 for igniting the fuel charges within their combustion chambers. The spark plugs are-connected to a suitable ignition supply means, not shown, preferably mounted on the propelling vehicle.

Means, not shown, is provided on the propelling vehicle for supplying'the burners with measured quantities of liquid fuel and air to provide a highly combustible fuel mixture which'may readily. beignited by the spark plugs 12. The fuel supply means is variable, as is well known in the art, whereby the blast projected from the nozzle 65 may be varied in accordance with the work to be performed. In other words, if the fall of snow to be removed is heavy, a relatively stronger blast may be required than if there is less snow to be moved. t In the operation of a snow-plow provided with a jet propulsion burner such as illustrated in Figures 7 to 13, inclusive, the snow travels along the face of the moldboard 60in the usual manner, but when it discharges from the end thereof it passes directly into the hot blastprojected from the nozzle of the burners, whereby its movement is greatly accelerated, and at the same time the snow is expanded and melted, as clearly illustrated in Figure 12. ,Because'of the high velocity of the hot blast discharging from the nozzle 65, a partialvacuum tends to form at the tail end 61 of the moldboard which draws the snow, ice,

and 'othermaterial directly intothe hot blast,

whereby its movement is instantly accelerated andthe dissipation of the now is greatly facilitated.

' I have found from actual experience that when projecting'a hot blast into snow, the multitude of air cells within the body of snow are instantly expanded, whereby the snow is separated into a multitude of small particles which tend to seatter in all directions as indicated by the arrows in Figure 12. When the snow is thusv expanded and separated, the hot blast directed into it from th nozzle 65 may meltthe major portion thereof, whereby its dissipation is made relatively complete and thorough. It willalso be noted. that the movement of the snow and ice discharged from the moldboard willbe in the general direcg tion of snow travel on themoldboard, and be- 7 cause of the high velocity of the hot blast the snow particles that may not be melted by the blast are blown a considerable distance outwardly andrearwardly away from the moldboard and vehicle, thereby preventing the formation of ridges along the cleared path, a is now common when utilizing conventional snow-plow equipment. 7 s

The rearwardly and outwardly directed high velocity hot blast, in addition to effectively accelerating the movement and dissipation of the snow, also'exerts a forwardly propelling thrust or force on the outer end of the moldboard which minimizes the side pull on the propelling vehicle, when a wing-type moldboard is used, and when a V-type plow is utilized as shown in Figure 13, the force of the blast in a rearward direction at each side of the snow plow may have a. definite propelling effect on the vehicle, as will 'readilygbe understood.

burners may be mounted on a suitable frame adjustably carried on the vehicle whereby it may be utilized for directly projecting a hot blast into snow and ice to dissipate such material without the use of a moldboard.

In Figure 13 there is shown a V type snowplow comprising angularly disposed moldboards 13 each provided with jet propulsion burners 53 and 54, as shown in Figure 7. When utilizing jet propulsion burners with such a snow-plow, the rearward thrust exerted by the high velocity jets against snow, ice and other material, will have a forward propelling effect on the plow, whereby less power may be required from the vehicle engine to propel the apparatus.

In the apparatus herein disclosed it will be noted that the snow moving along the face of the moldboard is not directly engaged by a rotor or other moving elements. It is delivered into a high velocity blast which may be either cold or hot, as herein disclosed, and the velocity of which is such that the movement of the snow as it leaves the moldboard is greatly accelerated in its normal direction of movement, whereby the unmelted snow is dissipated over a wide area remote from the end of the moldboard.

Also because of the blast producing means being mounted rearwardly of the moldboard, the snow-plow or moldboard may be usedas a conventional plow and without an air blast, when it is' deemed unnecessary to utilize a high velocity blast. This is a desirable feature because it effects a saving in fuel, when the plow or moldboard is operated without the blast, as will be understood. When the blast is utilized in conjunction with the plow or moldboard, the apparatus may be operated through drifts and deep snow without danger of the snow piling up and clogging at the end of the moldboard.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that I have accomplished at least the principal objects of my invention, and it will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiments herein described may be variously changed and modified without departing from the spirit-'ofthe invention, and that the invention is capable' of uses and has advantages not herein specifically described; hence it will be appreciated that the herein disclosed embodiments are illustrative only, and that my invention is not limited thereto.

I claim as my invention:

1. The combination with a vehicle having a moldboard mounted thereon, of a blast generating. unit mounted directly upon the moldboard adapted to direct a blast of airin the direction of the material discharging from theouter or trail in'g end of the moldboard, thereby to greatly accelerate the movement of the material and the dissipation thereof, and means mounting said of said nozzle: being substantially equal to the width of; the up anddown height of the mold 10 board, means for rendering the air blast device operable to direct a high velocityblastagainst the material as it discharges from the moldboard, in the direction of material travel, and deflectors in said nozzle for upwardly directlng the material as it discharges from the moldboard.

3. The combination with a vehicle having a moldboard mounted thereon, of an air blast de- Vice mounted directly upon the moldbdard and having an elongated narrow discharge nozzle tsitioned adjacent to the discharge end of the moldboard, the length of said nozzle being equal to atleast one-half of the width of the moldboard in a direction transversely, thereof, means for rendering said blast device operable to direct a high velocity blast into the material discharging from the moldboardin the direction of material travel, thereby to accelerate the movement of the material and the dissipation thereof, and means in said nozzle for slightly upwardly directing the material.

4. The combination wth a vehicle havin a moldboard mounted thereon, of a power driven 5. The combination with a vehicle havinga moldboard mounted thereon, of a power driven blower mounted directly upon the moldboard and having its discharge located adjacent to the outer end of the moldboard and arranged to direct a.

blast of air into the material discharging from the moldboard, in the direction of material travel, thereby to accelerate the movement of the material and the dissipation thereof anddeflecting meansin the blower discharge for slightly up: wardly directing the material. as it leaves the" moldboard. g H

6*. The combination with a powerpropelled vehicle having a moldboard mounted thereon, of a blower comprising a housing mounted directly upon the moldboard and having a tangential dis charge nozzle terminating adjacent to theouter end of the moldboard, means carried on the veh'icle for driving the" blower, and means" whereby chargenozzle.

the blower maypivot-about the axis" of said dis '1, The combination with a power propelled ye:-

hicle having armoldboard' mounted thereon, ofa

blower comprising a hou'sing suppo'rte'd' on the moldboard and having a tangential, discharge opening terminating in a narrow high velocity discharge nozzle located adjacent to the outer end of" the moldboard and extending substan-' tially the width thereofiwhereby said blower may direct a; blast of air into the material discharging" from themoldboard, in the direction of material travel, thereby to accelerate the movement of the material and the dissipation thereof and means whereby the' blower may pivot about the axis o fisaid dischargenozzle. I

8. The combination with a power propelled v'e hicle having a mold-board mounted thereon, of a blower supported on the moldboard and having a, narrowhigh velocity discharge nozzle located ad jacent to the .outer endof the moldboard and extending substantially thewidth thereof, whereby saidblower' may direct a blast of air irito the material discharging from the: moldboard, inthe direction ofmaterial travel, thereby to accelera'te'themovement of the material and the dis-;

sipatiqn thereof, and a plurality of upwardly inclinedvanesinsaid discharge for slightly i1p. wardly directing the discharge material above:

its normal path of travel.

9. The combination with a vehicle ablower comprising a housing'mounted directly unit whereby the blower may be operated to directa blast of airinto the material discharging from the moldboard, in the direction of matrial' travel, thereby to accelerate the movement of the material and the dissipation thereof, and 'mean mounting the blower'housing for pivotal movement relative to the moldboard.

"10. The combination with a power propelled vehicle having a moldboard mounted thereon, of a blower mounted directly upon the moldboard andlhaving its discharge arranged to direct a blast or air into the materialmoving along the moldboard, in the direction of material travel, a

power unit "on the vehicle, a driving connection between the .blower and power unit, and means having a power unit mounted thereon and provided with a moldboard for removing snow and the like, of

pivotally mounting the blower on themoldboard whereby the blower may relatively pivot thereon and retain its operative relationship with said driving. connection, whenthe moldboard is ver ti'cal-ly adjusted'relatively to the ground.

. 11. The combination with a power propelledly vehicle having 'a moldboard mounted thereon, of-

a blower supported on the rear ofthe moldboard and having a tangential discharge provided with; a'nozzl'e'located adjacent to the outer end of they moldboard, a power unit on the vehicle, a shaft operative'ly connecting. the blower to said power unit," and ineansmounting th blower for relative pivotaf'mo'vement aboutthe axisof said tan: gential discharge, whereby the blower may rela-.-;

tively pivot on the moldboard to retain"its;. dr ivingrelations'hip' with said shaft, when the mold.-

board is vertically adjusted'rlativelydto thetve- 12.;The combinationwith power propelled}:

vehicle having falmoldboard mounted thereon, of afcentrifugal blower mounted on the rear of the moldboard and having atangential dischargeprog vided with a nozzle located adjacent'toIthe outer} end ofthe moldboard, a powerunit on the vehide, a "tele'sco'p'ing'shaft operatively connecting the blower to said power. unit,.means mounting.

with said shaft for maintaining driving rela-' tionshipibetween the blower and said shaft re gardlesslof the position of the moldboard.

13. The combination with a moldboard for removing snow and other material, of a jet propul sion burner mounted at the rear of the mold-l board and having itsexhaust" positioned to direct, allot blast into the" material discharging thereof. I l

14, The combination with a moldboard forr-i. moving snow and other material,- of a jet QiiQRuL f 12 sion burner mounted on the rear of the moldboard and having a discharge nozzle positioned to di rect a hot blast into the material discharging from the moldboard thereby to. accelerateeits movement. a 15. The combination with a moldboard for-removing snow and other material, of jet propulsion means positioned to direct a high velocity blast against the material being moved along the face of the moldboard, thereby toaccelerate its movement in the general direction of discharge. I 16. The combination with a moldboard adapted to be propelled by a power driven vehicle, of jet propulsion means mounted on the rear of the moldboard and having a restricted highvelocity nozzle positioned to direct a hot blast into the material discharging from the moldboard, thereby to accelerate its movement and the dissipation thereof. I V v, r

17. The combination with a vehicle having a moldboard mounted thereon, of a combustion chamber mounted rearwardly of the moldboard, means on the vehicle for supplying a fuelmixture to the combustion chamber under pressure, fuel ignition means, and said combustion chamber having an exhaust nozzle positioned to direct a hot blast against the material discharging from the moldboard, thereby to acceleratethe movement of the material and the dissipation thereof.v 18. The combination with a vehicle having a 'moldboard mounted thereon, ofa combustion ignition means, and said combustion chamber having a narrow elongated exhaust nozzle dis posed transversely of the moldboard adapted to direct the hot products of combustion from the from-the moldboard, thereby to accelerate thef movement of'the materialand the dissipation;-

ment away from the vehicle.

20. The combination with ,vehic1e-havin a moldboard mounted thereon, of a combustion chamber having a narrow elongated exhaust nozv zle positioned to direct the hot products of com bustion -into the material being movedby the;

moldboard, thereby to accelerate it movementv and the dissipation thereof, and upwardly jin-jj clined vanes in said nozzle for directing the discharging material in an upwarddirection.

21. The combination with avvehiclehavinga; snow plow mounted thereon, of a plurality of jet" propulsion burners mounted. rearwardly of the. snow plow, means on the vehicle for supplying com-pressed air and. fuel, to-said burners, fuel. ignition means, and said burners having a discharge,

' nozzlepositioned adjacentto the rear end ofjthe snow plow adapted to direct a blast of: hot air; against the snow and other material beingm'ovedi along the face of the snowplow, thereby .tO aQ-n celerate its movement and the dissipation thereof.

22.=The combination with a vehicle 'having:a;

snow plow mounted thereon and comprising ;,a: moldboard, of a pluralityof jet propulsion bum-2 ers mounted rearwardlyof the snow=p1ow, means on the vehicle for supplying compressedjair and: fuel to said burners,- fuel ignition means, and-said:

13 burners having a common discharge nozzle positioned adjacent to the rear end of the moldboard transversely thereof adapted to direct a blast of hot air against the snow discharging from the I moldboard thereby to accelerate its movement and the dissipation thereof, and deflecting means in said nozzle for slightly upwardly directing the discharged snow.

23. The combination with a vehicle having a moldboard mounted thereon, a combustion chamber at the rear of the moldboard, means on the vehicle for supplying high pressure air to the combustion chamber, fuel supply means, ignition means, and said combustion chamber having a discharge nozzle positioned at the discharge end of the moldboard adapted to direct the hot products of combustion against snow or other material being moved along by the moldboard at high velocity, thereby to accelerate the movement of the material and also whereby the reactive force of the high velocity blast against the material will have a forwardly propelling effect upon the vehicle.

24. The combination with a vehicle having a moldboard mounted thereon for moving snow, ice and other material, a jet propulsion burner supported rearwardly of the moldboard, means for supplying air and fuel to said burner under pressure, fuel ignition means, and said burner having an exhaust nozzle secured to the back of the moldboard with its discharge end positioned to direct the products of combustion at high velocity against snow and ice discharging from the moldboard in a direction to exert a propelling effect on the outer end of the moldboard and simultaneously to accelerate and dissipate the snow and ice discharging from the moldboard.

14 adapted to direct a hot blast in the direction of discharge from the moldboard, thereby'to melt snow and ice beyond the end of the moldboard.

26. In combination with a vehicle having a snow-engaging member, a jet propulsion burner positioned adjacent to the snow engaging member and having its exhaust or discharge nozzle positioned to direct a hot, blast in an outwardly and rearwardly direction with respect to the snowengaging member, whereby said hot blast may be utilized to melt snow and ice, and also whereby the thrust reaction of said blast will exert a forwardly propelling effect on the vehicle.-

27. In combination with a vehicle having a snow-engaging member, a jet propulsion burner supported on the snow engaging member and having a high velocity discharge nozzle positioned to direct a hot blast in an outwardly and rearwardly direction with respect to the snow-engaging member, whereby said hot blast may be utilized to melt snow and ice along a road-bed and in the gutters adjacent thereto.

28. In combination with a vehicle having a snow plow mounted thereon, jet propulsion burner means mounted rearwardly of the snow plow, means on the vehicle for supplying compressed air and fuel to the burner means, fuel ignition means, and said burner means having a discharge nozzle positioned adjacent the rear end of the snow plow adapted to direct a blast of hot air against the snow and other material being moved by the snow plow thereby to accelerate its movement and the dissipation thereof.

29. The combination with a, snow-removing apparatus including a snow-engaging member, of

- a combustion-type jet propulsion burner attached 25. The combination with a moldboard, of a jet 1 propulsion burner having its discharge positioned adjacent to the outer end of the moldboard v to said member and positioned thereon for eje cting and disbursing snow discharging from the member.

EDWARD R. GRIEIER. 

